Recently splurged on a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon. It runs cool, fan does come on sometimes but it's unobtrusive. Still getting used to the huge touchpad w/ integrated left/right buttons. 14" 1600x900 IPA screen in 13.3" frame is v. nice, as is the 3 lb weight.

You could find something nicer, you might find something cheaper, but if you want a quiet laptop, start spending big bucks. In my opinion it should well be possible to design a relatively cheap laptop that is quiet enough fpr spcr.

But, like back 10 years ago all major PC companies, the big laptop companies don't care about noise if there's margin to be had instead.

unfortunately manufactures have to account for the average user that lays their laptop on their fuzzy pillow in the sun to watch hd video...and has 6 cats and two long haired dogs, yet owns no vacuum cleaner.

_________________Help SPCR keep the lights on, use these links when you buy: NCIX, Amazon and Newegg

The Macbook Air 11" from late 2010 - that is the Core 2 Duo version - is running nearly silent most of the time. The newer models are said to have the same noise characteristics.

During regular usage, i.e. web surfing, listening to music, watching videos, the fan stays on low, which means it's nigh inaudible during daytime. At night, a faint whine is detectable if heard for. The fan will speed up and create a mighty whoosh noise during CPU intensive tasks or if you do anything while charging the laptop. CPU intensive tasks most often -for me- are programs running wild. High-def flash videos (read: youtube) are also a good way to make it loud, as is video-Skyping. As far as fan noise goes, the MBA's is certainly among the most pleasant, as it's really only air whoosh and no detectable motor or vibration noise.

The MBA is a pretty good all-around ultrabook, with the best (though not unparalleld) keyboard, best (unparalleled) trackpad and very good screen (it's not matte, but not very reflective either and very bright to make up for it). Price-wise, it's okay. Comparable ultrabooks are usually the same, sometimes you'll get more storage for the same dollar. Though you have to factor in resale value, which is exceptional for everything from Apple.

I'm not an Apple fanboy, it's just that I tried other options 18 months ago and none of those that were cheaper could convince me.

I am in the process of returning a brand new Macbook Air 11 (latest - Ivy Bridge processor etc.) because of the fan.

The problem isn't the fan noise as in dB. BUT... When idle or on low usage scenarios (browsing etc.), the fan sits at 2000 RPM which should be quiet, but when using it in a quiet environment, it's not: it has an annoying buzzing. I first thought it was electrical noise, but it is the fan - I tested with SMC Fan Control and at higher RPM, it increases the buzzing speed until it is covered by the whooshing of the air.

HUGE disappointment!. Especially since I read that the new MBA has the asymmetrical fan and should have a more pleasant noise profile.Great build quality, great screen etc., too bad for the fan buzzing.I am now returning this expensive laptop.

So I would advise very-noise-sensitive people to avoid the MBA (at least the 2012 11 model).

I tested one in an Apple store, but it was in a shopping mall, so I couldn't hear any potential noise of the laptop.

After noticing the buzzing, I looked on forums for similar findings. And I found a multi-page discussion about the fan noise, where a person mentioned the buzzing, that seems like a problem of design (the fan is not properly placed and the case amplifies the vibration). He also said that he replaced his MBA, but the replacement had the buzzing also...

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